Beauty: Nourishing Face Oil
“Be good to your skin, you’ll wear it every day for the rest of your life”
Written by Stephanie Ayres
Carrier oils are plant based oils extracted from the plants material, the nuts or the seeds. Plants in the form of carrier oils can be incredibly healing and nourishing to the skin. I plan to write a blog with more in-depth information on carrier oils and how to select one based on the circumstance or outcome you are hoping for. Some of the most commonly used carrier oils for the skin are Jojoba, Argan, Apricot Kernel, Rose Hip, Sea Buckthorn, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil and Sesame Oil.
Essential oils can be added to your carrier oils, moisturizers or lotions. Based on your particular needs, essential oils can help to nourish, cleanse, detoxify, increase circulation, tone, calm irritation and in general support the skin’s function. Frankincense is a wonderful oil to add to a face moisturizer as it helps minimize hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and tones the skin. Just like anything you put on your body, essential oils penetrate deeply into all the layers of the skin, absorbing into the capillaries and affecting all areas of the body —physiologically and psychologically.
You might wonder how putting oils on your face or body can help to even and heal irritations when we have been taught to avoid oils, if say, we have an acne breakout. I thought Shiva Rose explained this beautifully in her book, Whole Beauty:
“It might seem counterintuitive to put oil on your skin, but it’s actually something your skin really needs. Just like shampoo strips the hair, most conventional cleansers strip the skin of its essential moisture. This affects the pH and microbiome of your skin, leaving it vulnerable to irritation and breakouts and speeding up the aging process. Because they are lipophilic — or fat loving — oils pass through the lipid layer of the skin faster than water-based moisturizers. The right oils will wake up your skin, soothe it, and help it glow.”
The simple act of cleansing and moisturizing my skin with nutrient packed oils has been incredibly healing for my skin. I have tiny bumps — called Keratosis Pilaris — on the backs of my arms and thighs. Applying oils, especially warm oils, to my face and body has radically changed the way my skin looks and feels.
To warm your oil, start by boiling water in the kettle. Transfer a small amount of the oil to a shot glass or similar size (avoid plastic) and place that glass in a shallow bowl of hot water. Allow the oil to heat indirectly and carefully pour the oil into the hands as you begin to distribute it on your face, décolletage and/or body. Take a moment to enjoy the scent and warm sensation as you are applying the oil.
Recipe
Inspired by Shiva Rose’s book, Whole Beauty
You’ll want to get a 4 oz glass jar with cap or cork stopper. I like these from Mountain Rose Herbs, but you can also repurpose one.
2 tbsp Jojoba oil
1 tbsp Kukui nut oil
1 tbsp Rosehip oil
1 tbsp Argan oil
1 tsp Tamanu Oil
1 tsp Sea Buckthorn oil
5 drops Vitamin E oil
5-10 drops of essential oil
Mix together in a bowl and transfer into the glass jar via funnel. Store in a dark, cool place.
Use on a clean face in the morning and evening. You can layer a thicker moisturizer over in the dryer months.
Essential Oil Suggestions:
I prefer to use one oil per batch, but you can create a custom scent that suits your skin’s needs. Rose oil tends to be my preferred choice.
Rose
Hawaiian Sandalwood
Frankincense
Helichrysum
*I source many of my carrier oils from Banyan Botanicals or Mountain Rose Herbs. I purchase my Essential Oils and Fractionated Coconut Oil from doTERRA. You can order essential oils through me using this link.
